Coupon Fantatics

I’ve recently taken a part time job in retail…

I had to let that sit for just a bit. Actually, I really like it (granted I’m only going off my 2^nd day) but I enjoy retail. YES, I like clothes and shopping and just the whole way stores smell….I even like working with my most of my customers!! Look at the word MOST, that’s a key factor in any of my future posts about my job…

But, I want to shed some light on coupons…those pesky little pieces of dying trees (yes, I went there!) that make up about 40% of trash in your home, car, bags, or wherever you throw them. Working in retail, I have a new ideas about how these “golden tickets” that cause havoc in my new word of retail.

The fine print. Those little words can either leave my customers feeling defeated or just out right attacked. That yes, ME, with my over huge smile (because everything I do is done ornately!) and trendy outfit have just taken your god given discounts away…

Sadly, no. I would love to give you the discount and I don’t understand the rules that “corporate” makes…I’m just the messenger that brings forth their final say in what they deem as the gregarious gift for being a loyal customer to our stores.

What to watch for: coupons not being used with other coupons or DISCOUNTS (example: senior citizens); cannot be used during special shopping hours (example: early bird hours); or even weird ending prices (!!! I know, I just realized stores did this one). Take heed my fellow shoppers and coupon fanatics!!

Simple math. When ringing up the total and the customers realizes that anything under %30 is really just paying for your taxes. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve walked into numerous stores with the “golden ticket” of %20 off feeling this euphoria to what I assume the Kardashians must feel when shopping—to when that final total is rung up. That nope, I’m not a Kardashian, nor do I have their budget, but I’m a normal person who just maybe over spent on things that I didn’t need.

DATES! I’m still a victim to this!! Who honestly pays attention to dates, except maybe our extreme couponers (which kudos to yall!! Round of applause that you’re that dedicated); but for what I assume the majority of us do, we don’t look at dates. We’ve got a stinking coupon and for once it’s more than just %30 percent…it’s an actual%50!! You’ve stashed this little gift from the retail gods, in a special little place, so when the opportunity presented itself you could use it. BUT, then that over smiling over trendy dressed sale assistant mumbles (because we know, we know how you’re going to react) “I’m sorry the coupon expired”. The word darkens, clouds assemble overhead, small children scurry to sanctuary and you realize that you’ve been wronged!

Coupons…what can I say. They don’t make the world go round, but in retail they make my job just that much more interesting…

Hair 101 or not...

           To my fellow females, today my blog is dedicated to you and to the future females of the world. How many of us have spent ideal hours on the dreaded “Pintrest,” this is not a time for shame…we’ve all done it. They’ve got recipes, inspirational quotes, and of course wonderful “how tos” for any personality. So who could blame us for spending hours upon hours of filtering fun. 

            Ahhh but today, let’s rethink those wonderful (insert numerical value)5 minute easy hair styles for any hair type... Don’t judge ladies, we’ve all glanced at them, because honestly when it comes to maintaining the mane, not many of us can walk out of the bathroom just leaving it to its own devices. If I did that on the regular, I'm sure I'd have to attach a disclaimer when out in public!

            Let me shed some light on the battle these oh so easy hair style guides present themselves; or maybe I'm the only who has hair that is this difficult. So filtering threw several posts and finally selecting among the ever so popular "Buzzwothy.com" I'm ready to transform my hair into Volia! what will be my life changing hair do for the day!! (Disclaimer: I love Buzzwothy and am no way shaming their wonderful articles!!)

            I begin scrolling along the choices….ehhh my hair can’t pull that off…that looks worse than my hair at the moment…ohh maybe..nope! to many steps…but wait…I like this one..yeah…let me click to make it bigger! Because this is what we’ve all done we’ve clicked on those articles. You look through the pictures and start marking off in your brain whether you even have the skills at the moment to pull that off. Then finding a picture you click on it to make it bigger, because honestly you can really see what she’s doing in those pictures! Because this majestic work of art should only take a matter of minutes to complete, they just show pictures and no directions…UM! WTF!?? Sure, how hard could it be? It’s just hair, it’s just pulling hair that way and this way…wrong! It’s so much more…I know you’re sitting there nodding!! Honestly how can I tell what she’s doing with that hand and where did she pull that piece of hair from….then you look at the next pictures and it might as well be a different head of hair! Seriously it went from simple bobby pin insertion and now her head of hair is becoming this magical majestically hair dream… If for some reason a guy is reading this…you should stop…like seriously, go watch ESPN!

            After scrunching my eyes to comprehend what this obviously talented creature has performed in these pictures (Who’s taking the pictures? How does she look so good just ala natural? I know if I just snapped a picture of myself I’d need a least several filters…I HATE THIS WOMAN) I begin to work on my hair.

5 minutes later, I’m still trying to understand how my hair looks nothing like the picture…”teasing” just made my hair look like a frizz ball, did she use hairspray or maybe unwashed hair?! Those beautiful hair twisting things I attempted look like, I just didn’t brush my hair from this weekend…I QUIT!

10 minutes later…I just combined what I know I can do, hair spray, oh cute bobby pin thing and side part and VOLIA!  Just like the picture!! I knew I could do this!! All done in less…well now…crap! I’m late again…

Sooo in conclusion…I would like a real article, with detailed play by plays of the calamity that may ensue when performing such tasks. Because, I know and you know, the hair we carry with us…is own little personal cross we deal with on a daily basis...

Affirmed...

Yes...affirmed. It's how I feel about my life right now or more the fact that at the age of 28, I can say I'm pretty affirmed with myself and where my life is going. Let's not be crazy and think I've got it all figured it out...because I don't; but that's OK! 
Because I love lists... Let me list some of my affirmations for MYSELF (note: I stated myself because these are my affirmations)

1. I'm happy with who I am. I'm not perfect and I will never say I am. But, I'm a decent individual. 
2. I'm a social butterfly. Yes, I like to go out and enjoy the company of my friends, because I'm human and humans like social interactions. 
3. I don't conform. Yeah I march to my own little beat...its fun though!
4. I respect everyone in this life and will treat them accordingly. 
5. I don't judge anyone, because no one is perfect and people make mistakes all the time. 
6. I can forgive because I too need to be forgiven at times
7. We have one life to live...so I live up to my standards and my beliefs. I will not live someone else's life. 
8. I'm single and I'm not in a rush to get married. I do want children and a marriage, but I want to keep figuring me out. For my friends who are married, congratulations and I'm truly happy for you; but I know that chapter isn't here in my life. 
9. I make mistakes and that's okay. Sometimes the best stories come from making mistakes and learning from them...
10. I move forward...the rest of my life cannot be lived in the past.
11. I'm a nerd. I'm educated and somewhat well rounded in a variety of things...but it makes for interesting conversations with me!
12. I have secrets...that's why my hair is so big!
13. Life is hard, happy, sad, fun, and messy.

In the end, these are my own affirmations. Some days we need reminders that we're not horrible people and that our worth is important--even if you're just important to yourself (which is a big deal). Everyone affirmations are different, and it should be, but for me I'm happy with my affirmations. For anyone who reads this, I hope you can look at your life and find a few affirmations that make you smile. 
Peace & Love always...

You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
-Christopher Robin 

Lucky...

     That's how I can sum up my past week. I can't control death or when I get to say my final goodbyes to the people I love and cherish the most...but I can look back and relish in the fact that they were part of my life for however long or little that was. Having to say goodbye to my aunt was something that we'd been told might happen, but getting that phone call doesn't change the fact how hard it was to say bye. I'd be a big liar if I said I wasn't still sad over her death or even shocked...but I can say I'm so lucky to have the family that I have.

        You probably think I'm boasting or bragging...."your family is crazy and dysfunctional!!" And you know what...they are! BUT, we love each other and are always there for each other. Sure, we may not always get to hang out with each other...but these people were my first friends ever....seriously before my mother let me socially interact with strangers...she set me out with my cousins, test the road out, see if I'd kill anyone--I left some bruises but we all lived!

       My family has been there for me for so many of the downs in life, but they've been there for the ups too. So when my family is faced with tragedy it comforts me to know that the shoulders I'm leaning on or shedding tears are from the people I've grown up with since birth. These people actually like to hang out with my crazy self and yet we're not above from fighting over the last piece of pizza or who was watching the TV last. Sure, you'll catch us running around the house because someone is gonna touch with a booger...and yeah we're all over the age of 21--yet our parents will still discipline us with the "chancla" sandal. But, we do like to play bingo or surprise each other with our favorites just cause we know that we enjoy those things. If you've been blessed with such a family...thank your lucky stars!

Peach & Love Always...

Insomni-addict....

Wow! Almost two years since the last post...haha life has been going...
But when in doubt a list is always a good idea

*teaching hasn't changed...still at it! This time in another language ;) Buenos Dias
*I live up to my standards...really hasn't changed
*after a rough yr in my small town in the mountains I moved...for the bigger and better things of a smaller town on the outskirts of the city
*took my first cool trip vacation and fell in love pretty hard for the tropics...
*found new friends that have slowly wormed their way into the icy depths of my heart...haha but it's ok
*my family...gotta hand it to them..I still love all of them and they still love me
*death has still managed to weasel it's way in...boo you whore!
*haters gonna keep hatin' I toast thee in wanting to take the time to hate on my boring self!
*still haven't regulated my sleep schedule...
*im a big kid now....live all by my self...it's lonely but who gets to walk around in cape from room to room! Haha bet u thought I'd say naked!!

And...I love the never ending adventure I embark on...

It's a hard knocked life...

 I had to face another death, that was just as painful as losing John. John’s mother has dealt with so much these past two years, not to mention over the years in general. She struggled with heart problems and cancer, before all of the stuff with John. She was never the same after John’s death, but I don’t think any of us were—no let restate, we were never the same and we won’t be, that’s a fact. 

I grew up knowing “The General” or “General Micky” for most of my life. She was always there throughout John and my formative years in school. High school had many memories in that library of hers, where John and I spent countless hours skipping class and passing the afternoons away. Later, through my adult years and after John’s death, Micky and I, we developed a friendship, that centered not just on John, but books and life. We had many conversations this year from all my hardships I was facing to her hardships to what we were currently watching on T.V. or reading.

Despite her strength, I think the past two years were taking its toll on her body. She passed quickly and unexpectedly. It’s true, I didn’t take the news well and I’m still handling it. I’m happy that she’s with John, resting and being with John; but I will miss her more than I thought I would. As I face this next school year, I know I will not look forward to that library being under someone else’s care. That will forever be Micky’s library. I’m not sure how I will handle this school year.

Isn’t it just like life, to throw its lemons at you, just when you’ve begun to think “Oh, I got this, look at me, I’m going to be okay.” This summer has been full of little surprises, especially ones I did not see coming. I really thought this summer would be filled with tons of romantic endeavors and busy school work. Life is amazing like that. Because despite the fact that I’m not happy with the recent turn of events, I always find the silver lining, and the silver lining I see it’s pretty amazing…peace & love always…

"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you."
— A.A. Milne

Romance at every age...

It's true, I'm huge sucker for the romance. I love all romantic movies and I get teary eyed when watching them! I think that when someone takes the time to make something special or treat someone to something they enjoy, well that's beautiful. Yes, cheesy, but it makes me tear up with happiness. Hahaha I know, coming from the girl who prides herself on her new found independence. BUT, I've always been a sucker for the simple kindness of everyday human interaction, whether it's small or huge. Take for example, my favorite flower to receive..gerber daisies or sunflowers. Yes, I love weeds, I think they're just beyond beautiful. I think roses are pretty and nice, but if you really want to get me grinning and win extra bonus points, take the time to find a weed. John, once tried to cheer me up, I was having a rough day. He went out and bought me a Shrek coloring book and big fat jumbo crayons (I love the Shrek movies & coloring) and a red rose. Now, as he handed the gift over, I was just happy to 1. be getting a surprise gift 2. I was getting colors 3. I was getting a coloring book too! Before, I could even say "thanks!" He says, I'm sorry.  I know roses are not your favorite, but I couldn't find a sunflower or gerber daisy to save my life, all I found were roses. I looked at him and I said, John, the fact you tried to find my weeds is just as good as getting me a real one and you've made my day, thank you! I was thrilled that he got me things I loved and despite the fact that he gave me a rose, I knew he tried to find my favorite--which is what mattered. 


That's why I love romance movies or stories. The people go out of their way to make things special for that person to see them happy, that is just so amazing and the true art of love. To love someone, you'd do anything to see them smile and be happy. So, yes, I know I'm hard on myself about getting into a relationship with anyone, but it's only because I know I want different things then what most people usually want. BUT, I do love romance and I love when people go out of their way to do something to make me smile or something nice just for me. 


Which is why I love to give my friends gifts. I love to see their smiles and their faces light up when I give them something that means a lot to them; because I love them and I love seeing them happy. I hope and truly wish that everyone in this world gets some sort of love, because it makes me really sad to just think about someone not ever feeling loved or feeling important to someone. Everyone deserves loves and kindness, no matter what they've done or will do. Love is also more than just two people being physically attracted to each other. Real love is when you care about that person's happiness and you'd do anything to help them achieve that. Love is knowing despite the fact that you'll make mistakes, you still matter to someone at the end of the day and they care if you're okay. 


In short, go out and love. What do you have to lose? Oh, I'm sure you'll make a fool of yourself, but someone will appreciate the effort. People need all the love they can get, it's something that is always needed and we'll never tire of. I'll end with that silly old bear...but peace and love always <3


"Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh?" he whispered. 
"Yes, Piglet?" 
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's hand. "I just wanted to be sure of you." 
— A.A. Milne (Winnie-the-Pooh)